City Council is composed of the Mayor and 44 Councillors who make decisions on behalf of their constituents – the people who vote for them in the 44 wards. Issues are identified by the public, through staff research, as follow-up to existing programs, services or policies or as part of the everyday work of running a city and achieving Council’s priorities.

The decision-making process involves committees and City Council. Committees include some, but not all Councillors.

Committees make recommendations to City Council for a final decision, while community councils (a type of committee) have some powers to make decisions on specific issues. Every Councillor is a member of City Council.

Toronto City Council Structure (2006)

You can learn more about decision-making at the City on the Civic Engagement website.

City Council and committee meetings are held on a four-week schedule.

There are several types of committees. Members of the public can provide their input during committee and community council meetings by speaking for up to five minutes and receiving questions from Councillors. Learn more about speaking to a committee.

Confronting poverty in Toronto was one of the topics discussed at the council meeting of July 7, 8 and 9.

Council Highlights

Volume 18 Issue 5

Toronto City Council meeting of July 7, 8 and 9, 2015

Council Highlights is an informal summary of decisions made by Toronto City Council. The City Clerk provides the formal documentation at http://www.toronto.ca/council.

Expanded gaming at Woodbine Racetrack
Council debated expanded gaming at Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack and passed a resolution in support of the proposal, subject to conditions. The approval sets the stage for the development of an integrated entertainment complex including gaming and non-gaming development at the Woodbine site in the northwest part of the city. Council also agreed to explore the possibility of designating some of the revenues from expanded gaming to a community benefits fund, and supported certain employment-related requirements tied to the expansion of gaming.

The Poverty Reduction Strategy is being developed through a collaborative process through 2015. This roadmap, last updated June 23, 2015, guides the work to be completed: Image Courtesy of City of of Toronto

Confronting poverty in Toronto
Council adopted an interim report on a strategy to address poverty in Toronto. In addition to adopting the vision and objectives for TO Prosperity: Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy, Council directed staff to undertake further discussions with residents and to provide Council with a final poverty reduction strategy and detailed implementation plan. Council also supported taking action on subjects such as eye examinations for schoolchildren in specific neighbourhoods and pursuing partnerships with the private sector to support the City’s poverty-reduction efforts.

The Making Space for Culture project is a recommendation of the Creative Capital Gains Report, endorsed by Toronto City Council in 2011, for the following reasons:

City of Toronto in Ontario, Canada, aims to supply “affordable, sustainable cultural space” for use by cultural industries, not-for-profit organizations and community groups

The upgrade and/or development of facilities for small and mid-size organizations and community cultural groups is a critical next step to ensure a vibrant cultural community

There is a need to develop and enhance cultural spaces in neighborhoods throughout the City to ensure that all Torontonians have access to spaces to learn, play, practice, and engage with arts and culture of all forms

You're Invited: Apply to Be a Member of the Disability Issues Committee at Its Special Event Feb. 21, 2012

The Disability Issues Committee advises Toronto City Council (Ontario, Canada) on the elimination of barriers faced by people with disabilities, and will provide advice to City Council about the requirements and implementation of accessibility standards required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

On Tuesday, 21 February 2012, the Disability Issues Committee will launch its new term in the following ways: